But for the officials, groomers, and volunteers who have to prepare the courses each day, and the team technicians that have to make athletes’ skis and snowboards run as fast as possible in conditions that can drastically change from hour to hour, the meteorologist reports here are crucially important.

Nicholas Major of Quebec is one of six meteorologists working at Whistler Olympic Park, the venue for Nordic events. He and his team have to prepare highly detailed, hourly forecasts. Even though he’s from Quebec, he says he’s been forecasting for this area for more than 10 years. Part of what he and his team has done is look at patterns.

So far, he says with a smile, their reports have been highly accurate.